Latest reviews

17 Jul 15'

john davis reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Hi George, Thank you once again for another great day of tuition, very informative and educational! I’m glad that you can be so patient, I need it and obviously the Dementia kicks in now and again when I repeat a simple error, but your advice is calmly repeated with no frustration on your part and I usually learn the lesson… The facilities are more than adequate for a single student, it must be handy for you to demonstrate on one lathe while I make feeble attempts on the other, but I feel that I am coming on and that;s all down to you. Not one, but two lidded boxes completed, not just a first for me but a first and second!! As usual, we were well looked after by Sue keeping us awash in tea/coffee not to mention a lovely piece of ham for lunch - I couldn’t wish for more! Thanks again, and just as we anticipated, my daughter does prefer the photo of the darker box - great minds think alike! Keep up the good work,"

17 Jul 15'

Kate Anderson reviewed: Wood turning tuition, New Forest, Hampshire (1 day, 1 person)

"We had a wonderful day with Graham, Chris and the dogs. We are four girls who needed an inspirational day out. We sure got this!! They were so attentative and thoughtful in every possible way!! We learnt so much and will definately practice what we learnt. Graham has a wealth of knowledge and really makes you feel at ease throughout the experience. I would definately recommend this day to anyone and any ability. Thank you so much Graham and Chris. Everything you did was just perfect. Kate xx"

15 Jul 15'

Mandy Persey reviewed: Stained Glass Garden Mosaic with Sue Smith

"I attended a one day glass mosaic course last week. My husband bought this for me as a birthday present and he found Sue extremely helpful and friendly on the phone . Sue is very welcoming and I felt at ease immediately. The studio has a wonderful setting and is a truly inspiring place. Sue is very talented and professional and I really learned a lot and came away full of enthusiasm for thus very rewarding craft. I was extremely pleased with the mosaic that I produced and came away with lots of information about where to obtain materials , techniques etc so that I could do more at home. We were provided with drinks and biscuits throughout the day and all the materials. It was really good value, fun and I couldn't have hoped for more ! I can thoroughly recommend this course and I am keen to attend more. A big thank you to Sue."

14 Jul 15'

Alex and Harry reviewed: Amazing encaustic art day course

"My son and I went for an introduction lesson in encaustic wax with Phil. My son is the artist, looking at this technique and media in support of his Art GSCE; I was a rather reluctant taxi Dad. Phil was delightful, enthusiastic and I caught the bug from him. He taught us techniques and we were quickly producing interesting and exciting pictures. Phil not only helped greatly with my son, but he unleashed an inner artist in me. We loved our time and went away with a starter kit and material. We will definitely be heading back for more instruction and guidance. A delight and I would recommend Phil to anyone who wishes to learn or like me find a new hobby/interest."

14 Jul 15'

Connor Groves Waters reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Took a day course last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was very pleased with how the day played out and it has left me wanting to come back and continue with blacksmithing."

14 Jul 15'

Sarah Malton reviewed: Autentico Basic Chalk Paint Workshop - Hailsham, East Sussex

"A truly enjoyable and inspirational evening. A tired, boring pine bedside cabinet transformed. I have the confidence and the materials to give the wardrobe a makeover now. Pete was really informative and patient. Would recommend this to anyone wanting to learn to chalk paint. Will definitely want to attend a more advanced class."

13 Jul 15'

Sian reviewed: Beginners Weaving with the Rigid Heddle Loom - at All in a Spin

"Me and my Mother had a lovely, interesting and educational time with Dunja. She was a really good teacher and we were made to feel very comfortable in her home. We'll be back to do a spinning class!"

13 Jul 15'

Natasha reviewed: A one day spoon carving course

"I was inspired to do this course after seeing Sharif's beautiful creations at a local craft fair. He is an excellent teacher, clear in his instructions and explanations, knowledgeable and very patient (even with an impatient student like me!). The course was relaxed and friendly, and Sharif engaged with each of us individually, offering lots of help and advice. However, it was also very focused, Sharif keeping us all to schedule to ensure we achieved our objective- a finished, or very nearly finished, spoon by the end of the day. Even as a complete novice, I found this achievable, going away with a nearly finished spoon and the knowledge needed to complete it. We got all of this, plus plenty of tea, a great home-cooked lunch, and the opportunity to spend the day in beautiful and inspiring Steward Wood. What more could you ask for?"

12 Jul 15'

Sue Loveday reviewed: Rag Rug Full Day Workshop - Hertfordshire

"A throughly enjoyable day learning a new addictive craft that can easily be achieved by all. The time just whizzed by listening to Elsbeth explain the technics of cutting fabric and using the tools to achieve our desired projects! A great day and everything you need is supplied. Wonderful hospitality will be had by all who attends this interesting course. Recommend highly."

10 Jul 15'

Liz Lawson reviewed: Creative Vibe - Glassblowing Sessions

"I am really glad I tried this. Ricky is a very calm but responsive teacher. He has a knack of explaining things so they stick, and because of that I accomplished much more than I expected in a one day. The furnace was already fired up with molten glass ready to go, and the day focused on how to gather glass out of the crucible onto the pipe, control it, add colour, blow it and remove it (very important that bit!). I'd like to carry on to learn more techniques and also the mechanics of the furnace and melting glass. The studio is in a lovely countryside location but easily driveable from London."

10 Jul 15'

Elice reviewed: Mineral Eye Shadow Course

"Took this course it was great. I'm 16. Now I can make my own eyeshadow. I made some for my friend's birthday and she loved it."

9 Jul 15'

Laney Warwick reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"Finally I understand tensions! Feel I have moved forward in one enormous leap from spinning whatever comes out to actually creating something specific. Learned a lot one short day. Tranquil location, lovely friendly atmosphere, and great fun."

9 Jul 15'

Jilly M reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Just loved this course. Never done anything like it before so thrilled to come home with my own skein - a bit bumpy - but ALL MINE!! Thanks to a very patient teacher."

9 Jul 15'

Mary Arthur reviewed: Rag Rug Full Day Workshop - Hertfordshire

"This was an excellent course: very informative and great fun. It was a good mixture of teaching and practical work and Elspeth was very well prepared. We all went home with enough material to finish our projects and a great deal of food for thought. Talking of food...we were also given some lovely nibbles to keep us going - homemade nougat and fudge! I'd thoroughly recommend the day."

9 Jul 15'

Bryan reviewed: Introduction to Green Wood Furniture Making - 2 Day Course in South Devon

"One of the best weekends ever!"

8 Jul 15'

Stella armstrong reviewed: Knitting workshops in Leeds City Centre

"My daughter and I had a two hour session with Ann as absolute beginners to crochet. The course was great, Ann offers individual sessions arranged for a mutually convenient time, in our case a Sunday afternoon. We met in a lovely vintage tea shop with really friendly staff who were interested in what we were doing and provided delicious home baking. Ann is very patient and provides written instructions to back up the session. We both really enjoyed the session and plan to arrange a follow up later in the year. Ann does the sessions to fundraise for a charity which supports people with learning difficulties and their families, which makes it all even more worthwhile. We would thoroughly recommend."

8 Jul 15'

Michael Young reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I never expected to bash steel, but had a great time doing it! After my son withdrew from a course to return to the US early, my wife and I decided to take his place. Debbie and Adrian arranged for us to take the beginners course with smith Andy rather than the advanced tool-making course with Adrian. We had a great time, very proud of our creations and Andy was fun, helpful, and a good teacher. Wonderful food. Terrific people. As a bonus we ran into another participant later on during our holiday. If you're not sure, just go ahead, you'll have a great time."

7 Jul 15'

Sue Eyles reviewed: Spinning Lesson

"Mia is a great teacher, I had some knowledge of spinning, but needed a refresher. I learnt a lot, Mia is a font of knowledge, which she imparts in an easy and friendly way. She explained and demonstrated several techniques, I came away truly inspired! I would highly recommend Mia to anyone, from beginner upwards. Inspirational!"

7 Jul 15'

Chris Berridge reviewed: Upholstery/cushion making

"I attended Jo's weekend course a month ago with the traditionally sprung back seat base from my vintage Austin and a leather hide. I now have a well shaped and comfortable seat upholstered in leather, and I did it myself! This was an enjoyable and relaxing weekend with a good tutor. Jo is an expert upholsterer but she also knows how to teach. I liked the fact that I was able to do the work myself but Jo was there to guide and show me whenever I needed it. She took a great interest in the actual job I was doing and understood the appearance I wanted to achieve. All excellent and good fun - thank you."

7 Jul 15'

Claudia Farley reviewed: Quilt block of the Month with Chris & Kate: An English Summer or a Lone Star, 10 Saturday sessions

"Chris and Kate's classes are loads of fun and really informative!"

7 Jul 15'

Dennis Cooper reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I have recently spent two remarkable days with Nigel at Fransham Forge. Nigel certainly has a special gift for Blacksmithing and his courses are packed with no nonsense instruction & extremely helpful advice. All my questions were answered in depth, addressing issues I had not even considered. It was a wonderful opportunity to watch him at work & then benefit from his encouragement & patience as I attempted to create my own piece of artwork. With his knowledge & guidance he will take you as far as you can go & even a little further than you imagined possible. Unbelievably I did manage to produce a copy of an "Ammonite set in rock", that my wife had spotted ( & always coveted ) after a visit to the Forge's shop. I cannot thank Nigel enough for letting me have a go at such a difficult project. It has earned me lots of "Brownie Points" Honestly, I had an amazing two days & worth every penny of the course fee."

6 Jul 15'

Peter Taft reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"A well constructed course (in every sense of the word). Clear, concise instruction prior to us constructing each section of the wall. Then lots of practical advice and encouragement during the building process. At the end of the course it was so satisfying to step back and admire our own work. A brilliant 2 days (despite the weather on Sunday morning). I would recommend it to anyone"

6 Jul 15'

N.Magill reviewed: Stained Glass Nuno Felted Scarves Online Class

"I enjoyed every second of this felting workshop! I made a small woollen decorative carpet for my coffee table under Lena's supervision and it looks fab ! The teacher is brilliant. Will attend the next one for sure. Inspiring place..."

6 Jul 15'

Zoe Quick reviewed: Beginners Weaving with the Rigid Heddle Loom - at All in a Spin

"I had a super day learning to weave with Dunja. I had always before been intrigued and amazed by woven pattern but slightly confused as to how to achieve it, so I really appreciated Dunja's very clear, calm and structured approach to teaching each stage of the process. She demystified weaving in a way that made it all the more magical. Confident that I can now weave some of that magic myself, I am saving up for my own loom...!"

5 Jul 15'

Fatoumata reviewed: Soy Wax Candle Making Workshop

"Interesting."